A IPMA é o líder mundial em certificação de profissionais e gestão de projetos através de seu modelo sistema universal de certificação, com base em um esquema de quatro níveis (4-L-C) e globalmente aceito.

1. Moving Professionals Forward
World Leader In Competence Based Certification

2. 3
The world is changing and project management is changing with it. IPMA is adapting:
to the demands of its customers
to improvements in technology and
to innovations in ways of working.
We are improving the depth and breadth of our offerings – whilst driving closer harmonization and
standardisation across the globe. Our certification system builds on our progressive 4 level model that
starts with the core project manager role and builds out from there. This means that no matter what
kind of role you are currently working in (Project Manager, Programme Manager, Portfolio Manager, Risk
Manager, Agile Leader, Sponsor, Project Management Consultant, etc.) you are able to certify based on
your experience (years and complexity) aligned with our competence model.
IPMA offers:
a progressive, internationally recognised,
competence based certification scheme
in your own country, in your own language, at your own
competence level, to an international standard
and run by your local professional body.
Professionalism in a changing world

3. 4 5
Do you want to be recognised as a professional
in Project Management?
Do you want to be assessed on your current competence level
evidenced by the full range of your recent experiences?
Do you want to be assessed in your own country?
Do you want a system that allows you to demonstrate
progression as your competences improve?
Do you want to know how you can improve
in your chosen profession?
Do you want a certification scheme that allows you to
have the flexibility to work in different sectors and/or in
different countries and/or for different employers?
You need a role based certification system that is run locally and
commands global recognition. You certify based on your experience
and maturity in your current role.
Do you want to employ or hire a Project Management professional
who has demonstrated their competence to internationally
recognised standards?
Do you want to be able to compare the quality of your project
professionals across the globe against a global standard?
Do you want to show the proven quality and maturity of your Project
Management professionals to your clients.
Do you want to be sure that your Project Management professionals
have the right competences to manage your next challenging
project?
Do you want the support offered by a local professional body, and
local training organisations, who understand that standard and can
interpret it for you?
Do you want to be able to access the widest possible field of
candidates who have been assessed against that common standard
wherever in the world and from whatever sector of business they
come from?
Individual Professional Organisations

4. 6 7
The IPMA Certification System is
the only system that offers global,
competence based certificates
supported by local, national
associations.
IPMA level D is IPMA’s starting level, aimed at
starting professionals who want to demonstrate their
knowledge to employers and clients. Level C is aimed
at people who have gained 3-5 years of experience
and want to demonstrate their competences in
the race for high quality jobs and roles. Levels B
and finally A are the levels for the very experienced
and competent project, programme and portfolio
managers. When you reach one of these levels, you
have proved yourself as an all-round, experienced
professional capable of running complex initiatives.
If you are looking for project, programme and
portfolio managers who have proven competence,
look for IPMA certified professionals. You can find out
if someone is certified by looking at our database of
certified professionals.
The benefits of IPMA Certification
A broad orientation that looks across
different business sectors
A good broad business and theoretical foundation
A competence approach makes
professionals widely employable
Competences: proven by the candidate;
independently assessed
An emphasis on the leader who takes responsibility
Many decades of experience that IPMA has
with the assessment of competences
Self-reflection during the process
makes the candidate aware of their
own strengths and weaknesses
Recertification encourages up-to-date
knowledge and experience
IPMA checks whether the candidate has been
able to make a difference and has left an impact
IPMA is a not for profit organisation
Recertification
A certificate needs to be current. Every five years, the
certified professionals need to be recertified, showing
they have maintained their competences at the right level.
IPMA’s vision is “Promoting competence throughout
society to enable a world in which all projects
succeed”. In support of this vision, IPMA has defined
a worldwide standard for competences in the areas
of Project, Programme and Portfolio Management.
For individuals, we have defined the IPMA Individual
Competence Baseline®
, ICB version 4. Based on the
ICB4, we have also defined the competence baseline
for Consultants, Coaches and Trainers in the field of
projects, programmes and portfolios, the ICB4CCT.
Based on these standards, we are able to recognise
and certify professionals working in different roles
within the field of Project Management.
The ICB4 is the international standard
for competence for Project, Programme
and Portfolio Managers.
The competence needed in each of these domains is
defined in the following competence areas:
“Perspective” of the initiatives you’re running;
“People”: how do you interact;
“Practice” of our work.
ICB4 does not prescribe a method, methodology
or specific process. You can use the competence
model in any organisational context. The model is not
related to a specific field (like ICT or investment or
government or research). ICB4 gives a clear language,
a basis for development and learning, suitable for all
in the project management community.
ICB4 is downloadable from the IPMA website at products.
ipma.world
Individual Competence Baseline (ICB) What is the value of a certificate?

5. 8 9
Assessment Path for IPMA
Level A®
Application
CV for initial
certification
Executive
summary report
Full self assessment
Referees
Feedback Eligibility check
Not yet eligible
Not yet competent
Not yet competent
Pass
Pass
Path 1 Path 2
Pass
Report []
Final evaluation
Decision
Certificate
Archive
Feedback
Feedback
Extended interview []
Simulation / Role based
scenario []
(Regular) Interview []
[] = If deemed not yet competent at first
attempt step can be repeated once.
Entry Criteria for Project Director
This IPMA certificate requires that the candidate has
acted in a very complex project environment that
has a strategic impact on the organisation. Eligibility
criteria: within the last 12 years, the candidate needs
to have a minimum of five years’ experience as
a project manager in a responsible leadership function
in very complex projects of which at least three years
were at a strategic level.
Entry Criteria for
Programme Director
This IPMA certificate requires that the candidate has
acted in a very complex programme environment that
has a strategic impact on the organisation. Eligibility
criteria: within the last 12 years, the candidate needs
to have a minimum of five years’ experience as
a programme manager in a responsible leadership
function in very complex programmes at a strategic
level, or a minimum of four years’ experience as
a programme manager in a responsible leadership
function in very complex programmes and a minimum
of three years’ experience as a project manager in
a responsible leadership function managing very
complex projects at a strategic level.
Entry Criteria for Portfolio Director
This IPMA certificate requires that the candidate has
acted in a very complex portfolio environment that
has a strategic impact on the organisation. Eligibility
criteria: within the last 12 years, the candidate
needs to have a minimum of five years’ experience
as a portfolio manager in a responsible leadership
function in very complex portfolios at a strategic
level or a minimum of four years of experience as
a portfolio manager in a responsible leadership
function in very complex portfolios and a minimum of
three years’ experience as a project or programme
manager in a responsible leadership function
managing very complex projects or programmes at
a strategic level.
Note: You don’t need to have an IPMA Level B certificate to
be eligible for IPMA Level A.
IPMA Level A

6. 10 11
Assessment Path for IPMA
Level B®
Application
CV for initial
certification
Executive
summary report
Full self assessment
Referees
Feedback Eligibility check
Not yet eligible
Not yet competent
Not yet competent
Not yet competent
Pass
Pass
Path 1 Path 2
Pass
Exam []
Report []
Final evaluation
Decision
Certificate
Archive
Feedback
Feedback
Feedback
Extended interview []
Simulation / Role based
scenario []
(Regular) Interview []
[] = If deemed not yet competent at first
attempt step can be repeated once.
IPMA Level B
Entry Criteria for
Senior Project Manager
This IPMA certificate requires that the candidate has
acted in a complex project environment within an
organisation. Eligibility criteria: within the last eight
years the candidate needs to have a minimum of
five years’ experience as a project manager of which
at least three years were in a responsible leadership
function managing complex projects.
Entry Criteria for
Senior Programme Manager
This IPMA certificate requires that the candidate has
acted in a complex programme environment within
an organisation. Eligibility criteria: within the last eight
years the candidate needs to have a minimum of five
years’ experience as a programme manager of which
at least three years were in a responsible leadership
function managing complex programmes.
Entry Criteria for
Senior Portfolio Manager
This IPMA certificate requires that the candidate has
acted in a complex portfolio environment within an
organisation. Eligibility criteria: within the last eight
years the candidate needs to have a minimum of five
years’ experience as a portfolio manager of which
at least three years were in a responsible leadership
function.
Note: You don’t need to have an IPMA Level C certificate to
be eligible for IPMA Level B and Level B is the first time that
IPMA Certificates differentiate between Project, Programme
and Portfolio domains.

7. 12 13
Application
CV for initial
certification
Executive
summary report
Full self assessment
Referees
Feedback Eligibility check
Not yet eligible
Not yet competent
Not yet competent
Pass
Pass
Path 1 Path 2
Pass
Exam []
Final evaluation
Decision
Certificate
Archive
Feedback
Feedback
Extended interview []
Simulation / Role based
scenario []
(Regular) Interview []
Assessment Path for IPMA
Level C®
[] = If deemed not yet competent at first
attempt step can be repeated once.
Application
Knowledge self
assessment
Feedback Eligibility check
Not yet eligible
Not yet competent
Pass
Pass
Exam []
Final evaluation
Decision
Certificate
Archive
Feedback
Assessment Path for IPMA
Level D®
[] = If deemed not yet competent at first
attempt step can be repeated once.
Entry Criteria for Project Manager
This IPMA certificate requires that the candidate has acted in
a project management role within a moderately complex project
environment within an organisation. Eligibility criteria: within
the last six years the candidate needs to have a minimum of
three years’ experience as a project manager within projects of
moderate complexity, or a minimum of three years’ experience
in a responsible project management role assisting the project
manager in complex projects.
Note: You don’t need to have an IPMA Level D certificate to be eligible for
IPMA Level C.
Entry Criteria for Project Management associate
An IPMA certificate at Level D requires that the candidate has knowledge in the Competence
Elements (CEs) related to project management. As such, they usually have broad project
management knowledge and may work in a project team. Eligibility criteria: there is no previous
experience required and only knowledge regarding CEs related to project management are
assessed.
IPMA Level C IPMA Level D

8. 14 15
The more competent you are as a project,
programme or portfolio professional, the more
complex your initiatives and environment will probably
become. Complexity is also of value when you want
to assess your current competence level. So, how do
we measure complexity of projects, programmes and
portfolios?
We see 10 factors that define complexity of initiatives.
These 10 are listed below and described in the
International Certification Regulations (ICR).
Every Certification Body has a table for assessing
the complexity of the candidate’s initiatives.
Self- assessment is part of the application.
Complexity of initiatives is defined
through 10 factors:
Capability perspectives:
input related complexity
process related complexity
output related complexity
risk related complexity
Context perspectives:
strategy related complexity
organisation related complexity
socio-cultural related complexity
Management/Leadership
perspectives
team-related complexity
innovation-related complexity
autonomy-related complexity
Maintain your level of professionalism
People change and take different career paths.
Certificate only has value when it is current, accurate
and descriptive of the individual’s competences.
Therefore, the validity of an IPMA certificate is 5 years.
A professional could attain further competences, gather
more experience and knowledge and operate in more
complex environments. This might be rewarded with a higher
level of certification, so we would assume the candidate will
try to go for a higher level.
Some professionals might have maintained the experience
level, but have not yet attained enough competences
for the next level. The recertification process requires
validation of the certificate level after 5 years without
having to go through a full assessment. It is a check-up
for the professional and it shows their clients that their
professionalism is maintained.
For a full description of the processes and requirements,
please refer to the International Certification Regulations
(ICR). If you want to embark on recertification, please
contact your local Certification Body, they can provide you
with all the details.
RecertificationComplexity in projects, programmes and portfolios
Re-certification
for all IPMA Levels
Application
CV for
Re-certification
Full self assessment
Structured evidence
Referees
Feedback Eligibility check
Not yet eligible
In case of doubt
Not yet competent
Pass
Pass
Interview
Final evaluation
Decision
Certificate
Archive
Feedback

9. 16 17
Requirements for recertification
The table below indicates the requirements for
recertification at the same level. More details can
be found in the ICR. As can be seen from this table,
the professional has to spend enough time, at the
applicable level, in a responsible role, and has to
keep their professional competence current.
Project management roles
The maturity of professionals within projects,
programmes and portfolios is recognised in the four
level certification (4LC) scheme. Other professionals
are working in the field of projects, programmes
and portfolios. in different roles (eg Project Planner,
Agile Leader, Project Risk Manager, etc.). In most
countries we provide certification for these roles as
well as the core leadership roles. Please contact your
local Certification Body or Membership Association
for information. If your country doesn’t support
the qualification, these can be obtained in other
countries.
Recertification process
The flowchart below describes the recertification
process. As can be seen, this is a much easier process
than for initial certification.
Level A Level B Level C Level D
Domain-related
experience required by
the applicant
Evidence of minimum 30 months of practical eperience
over five-year period
Not applicable
Complexity Not applicable
Leadership of others
Management
of others
Not applicable
Minimum of 35 hours’ evidence of CPD per annum (175 hours total)
since the last (re-)certification
e.g.
IPMA Level A®
certified programme director
IPMA Level B®
certified senior project planner
IPMA Level C®
certified Scrum master
IPMA Level D®
certified PM assistant

10. While IPMA manages the 4-L-C certification
system for individuals, the Certification Bodies
of our Member Associations perform the
actual assessments and certification.

11. 20
IPMA World Map
ALGERIA
ARGENTINA
AUSTRALIA
AUSTRIA
AZERBAIJAN
BOLIVIA
BOSNIA AND
HERZEGOVINA
BRAZIL
BULGARIA
CANADA
CHILE
CHINA
COLOMBIA
COSTA RICA
CROATIA
CYPRUS
CZECH REPUBLIC
DENMARK
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
ECUADOR
EGYPT
ESTONIA
FINLAND
FRANCE
GEORGIA
GERMANY
GREECE
GUATEMALA
HUNGARY
ICELAND
INDIA
INDONESIA
IRAN
IRELAND
ITALY
JAPAN
KAZAKHSTAN
KOSOVO
LATVIA
LITHUANIA
MALAYSIA
MONTENEGRO
MOROCCO
MEXICO
NEPAL
NETHERLANDS
NIGERIA
NORWAY
PANAMA
PERU
POLAND
PORTUGAL
PHILIPPINES
ROMANIA
RUSSIA
SERBIA
SLOVAKIA
SLOVENIA
SOUTH AFRICA
SOUTH KOREA
SINGAPORE
SPAIN
SWEDEN
SWITZERLAND
TAIWAN (CHINA)
TURKEY
UNITED KINGDOM
UKRAINE
UNITED STATES
URUGUAY
CONTACT INFORMATION
International Project Management Association (IPMA)
www.ipma.world • info@ipma.world